Question
Am I right in thinking that you use the subjunctive plus не after бояться to indicate that you are afraid that something may happen?
So: Я боюсь, чтобы он не сломал себе руку - does this mean in English "I’m afraid he may break his arm / have broken his arm"?
Does Я боюсь, что он сломал себе руку mean the same?
Many thanks.
Answer
Hi John,
Some options are possible.
Я боюсь, что он сломает себе руку. I am afraid he may break his arm.
Я боюсь, что он сломал себе руку. I am afraid she has broken his arm.
Я боюсь, как бы он не сломал себе руку. I am afraid he might break his arm.
In the last case the probability is lower than in the first case. Yes, it is something like the Subjunctive mood in the Russian language.
More questions like this one
- Translation of "прескверный"
- Difference between парад and шествие
- Russian prepositions от and из
- Russian Cases Test
- Difference between the prepositions за, от, с
- Past and Present Verbs in the Russian Language
- Restaurant menu in Russian
- Russian verbs with cases: best resources
- Russian Names and Surnames
- The difference between пояс and ремень
Do you have questions yourself? Ask us and we will be happy to help you!
Ask your question